ZBeta Advances Leadership Structure by Naming Conal O’Doherty and Jesse “JJ” Knutson as Principals of the Firm
ZBeta, a pioneer in delivering comprehensive physical security consulting services, today announced that senior executives Conal O’Doherty and Jesse “JJ” Knutson have been named principals of the firm. In their respective roles as Chief Growth Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Conal and JJ have been instrumental in shaping ZBeta’s identity by elevating the brand, enriching the client experience, advancing corporate strategy, strengthening operational performance, and unlocking new growth opportunities. As principals, they will continue to work alongside CEO Zack Brunette to chart the firm’s strategic trajectory, guide operational priorities, and advance the evolution of the organization.
ZBeta has long centered its work on the belief that strong security programs should function as seamlessly as great design, reducing friction while enabling organizations to operate at their highest potential. The appointment of JJ and Conal as principals further strengthens this approach and further aligns the firm’s leadership around a shared commitment to transforming the security function into a model of organizational excellence.
ZBeta’s leadership team boasts a long history of developing security and business consulting programs that meet client needs while enhancing how organizations operate. Over the years, they’ve worked with Fortune 50 organizations like Amazon, Microsoft, Wells Fargo and other well-regarded organizations to create solutions that blend strategy and innovation with practical know-how and world-class delivery. This has shaped the firm into a trusted partner for global security leaders seeking clarity and confidence in a landscape that grows increasingly complex each day.
As Chief Operating Officer, JJ has provided clear direction and operational leadership across ZBeta’s consulting, design, and engineering practices. With more than 25 years of experience spanning systems integration, manufacturing, engineering, and high-level security program design, he has led the development of advanced solutions for environments including corporate security operations centers, data centers, financial institutions, critical infrastructure, and complex network architectures. His direct approach, combined with in-depth technical expertise, has significantly contributed to ZBeta’s reputation for precision and dependability.
“ZBeta’s success has always come from a combination of great people, strong collaboration, and a commitment to doing things the right way,” JJ said. “Becoming a principal is an honor, and it reinforces how dedicated we are to helping clients build smarter, more resilient security programs. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together in this next chapter.”
Conal has been a steady influence on ZBeta’s strategic direction — from corporate strategy and development of the brand to how it approaches it’s Talent and Culture model and how it supports clients and attracts new ones. Throughout his career, he’s helped strengthen organizational performance, build high performance and motivated teams, and create cultures rooted in trust and accountability. His ability to build genuine, long-lasting relationships has been a major driver of ZBeta’s growth and its focus on delivering meaningful, people-first results.
“I’m proud of what we’ve built at ZBeta, but even more inspired by where we’re going,” Conal said. “For us, it has always been about attracting the very best talent in the industry and enabling them to do their best work with the best clients and that will continue to be our focus as we move forward. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to join forces with Zack and JJ and for the trust our clients place in us, and I’m excited to continue strengthening those relationships as we grow together.”
With this enhanced leadership structure, ZBeta is reinforcing its long-term vision: to redefine how the security function is designed, implemented, and experienced.
“Conal and JJ have been instrumental in guiding ZBeta’s evolution,” Zack said. “Bringing them on board as principles honors the leadership they’ve shown and solidifies the direction we’re heading. Their ability to pair strategic insight with client empathy is rare, and it’s at the heart of how we help organizations succeed. I’m looking forward to what the three of us can achieve together as we move into the next evolution of our business.”